Officially the Society of Jesus and also known as the Company of Jesus, they are a body of clerics regular organized for Apostolic work, following a religious rule and relying on alms for their support. Founded at Montmartre, Paris, France in 1534 by SaintIgnatius Loyola, it was the chief instrument of the Catholic Reformation. PopePaul III approved the new rule in 1540, and Ignatius was elected the first general of the order in 1541. The constitutions, drafted by him and based on his Spiritual Exercies were adopted in 1558. It was the first order which enjoined by its constitutions devotion to the cause of education. The ministry of the Society consists chiefly in preaching; teaching catechism; administering the sacraments; conducting missions in parishes; taking care of parishes; organizing pious confraternities; teaching in schools of every grade; writing books, pamphlets, periodical articles; going on foreign missions, and special missions when ordered by the pope. The general resides at Rome, Italy and has a council of assistants. The motto of the Society is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the greater glory of God).

In France many colleges were founded, beginning with the College de Clermont in 1550. Under Henry IV the Society increased rapidly. The politico-religious history of the Society under King Louis XIV centers round Jansenism and the lives of the king‘s confessors, especially PP. Annat, Ferrier, La Chaise, and Michel Le Tellier. The cause of the Jesuits was also compromised by the various quarrels of Louis XIV with PopeBlessedInnocent XI, especially concerning the regals and the Gallican Articles of 1682.

Ireland was first visited in 1542, but immense difficulties had to be overcome. Many Irishcolleges were founded on the continent. The greatest extension in Ireland was naturally during the dominance of the Confederation (1642 to 1654). Missionary labour was the chief occupation of the Irish Jesuits.

The Scottish mission may be said to have begun with Father James Gordon in 1584, and Fathers Edmund Hay and John Drury who came in 1581. They also conducted colleges on the continent. After the Revolution the Fathers were scattered but returned with reduced numbers.

In 1773PopeClement XIV issued the Brief of suppression by which the entire Jesuit order was suppressed throughout Christendom. He had heeled under pressure of the Spanish Court and the Duc de Choiseul and other strong influenses. In the separate countries (Portugal, France, Spain) the Jesuits had been already expelled some years before. The suppression was due to the same causes which in further development brought about the French Revolution. Empress Catherine of Russia and Frederick II of Prussia opposed this measure and maintained the Society as a teaching body, so that the Society was never wholly suppressed. During most of the time of the suppression the only priests in the United States were Jesuits. PopePius VII restored the Society by Brief in 1814.